Gold Rush

dancing with no feelings

:* ୨୧ Gracelyn ୨୧ :*

March 4, 2005

I was quite literally having the time of my life while I danced with Johnny in the middle of Biddies. I might've had to beg him to dance with me, but either way, here he was.

"Happy birthday to me," I shouted over the music with a rum and coke in hand.

"Yeah, happy birthday, Gracie," Johnny smiled, his hands resting on my hips.

"Be more enthusiastic, Jonathan," I rolled my eyes, "A girl only turns sixteen once."

"You've got me dancing, Gracie. It doesn't get much more enthusiastic then that."

When my eyes landed on Gibsie—who was dancing with some redhead—I felt my heart drop for the sake of my best friend. I looked to where Declan and Adeline were sitting, but Declan was now gone and Addy was sitting alone with a look of disgust on her face.

Okay, she'd obviously noticed Gibsie and his woman of the hour.

"Tell your eejit of a best friend to get his shit together," I frowned at Johnny, who was oblivious to the situation.

"Huh?" He muttered, looking to Addy and then to Gibsie before realization washed over his features, "Oh, yeah, classic Gibs."

"More like poor Addy," I offered, "The girl won't admit it but I know she's full of jealousy right now."

"Yeah, I should probably go check on her," Johnny agreed, removing his hands from my hips.

"Don't even think about it, Jonathan!" I glared at him, placing his hands back on my hips and taking a step closer to him, "She's a tough girl, let her be. Plus, Dec is headed over to her now."

His eyes were still on his little sister, and he looked concerned. And he wasn't the only one. Declan and I had been discussing our worries about Addy for a few days now.

Trying to gain Johnny's attention back, I spoke, "I forgot to tell you, I got the role of Odile in Swan Lake."

"Shite, really? That's great," He smiled, "That's good right?"

"Yes, it's amazing! I'm the black swan," I grinned, because it was a big accomplishment for me.

I wasn't good at very many things, but I happened to be really good at ballet.

"I knew you'd do amazing. I told you, you were stressing for nothing," Johnny chuckled.

"So, you're basically saying you're in love with me," I joked, trying to stray away from a serious conversation.

I hated being serious. If I was serious then I was sad and if I was sad, I was reminded of home. Which was something I never wanted to be reminded of.

"What?" Johnny gaped, "I- no, what?"

"Take a joke, Mister Rugby," I giggled, "Loosen up."

"You love to scare the shite out of me, don't you?"

"I live for it. You should see your face."

I downed the rest of my drink and placed it on a near by table. The familiar feeling of alcohol rushing through my veins calmed me. It was like a cure for all the evil in my life. I loved going out because it gave me an excuse to drink without anyone questioning it.

"Oh, shit," I laughed as I watched Addy storm over to Gibsie and his skank, "Her claws are coming out."

I knew Addy and I knew she was going off on Gibsie the second she got him alone. Adeline had been in love Gibsie since I'd known her. He was her very own prince charming which I thought was both disgusting and sweet. I was honestly shocked they weren't together by now but they were both too afraid to admit their feelings.

Something I had no problem doing.

"You think you'd beat up Gibsie for her?" I asked with an evil grin on my face.

Johnny looked ill at the thought of it but he cleared his throat and replied, "Yeah, I would."

"You can beat me up," I winked and pulled his hips closer to mine.

"Jesus," He exhaled a breath, "You've got a lot of confidence, Gracie."

Ouch, just say you hate me.

"Tell me something I don't know," I forced a smile.

"I think Dec might have a crush on you," Johnny's words shocked me.

I actually froze and just stood there with my mouth hanging open, because the lad was out of his damn mind.

I burst out laughing, placing both my hands on Johnny's chest and shaking my head.

"What?" Johnny frowned, "You two were having a secret conversation in his room that day."

"Oh my god," I tried to catch my breath between laughs, "Stop, I can't breathe."

"Gracie, what?"

"Are you insane?" I asked him with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard, "We were talking about Addy that day. About how we were worried about her. Declan most definitely does not like me."

"Oh," He nodded, his eyes widening "Oh."

"Jesus," I snorted, "You almost gave me a heart attack thinking I'd be picking between Declan and you." I smiled up at him, "And don't worry I would definitely choose you, babe."

"Great," Johnny smiled and shook his head.

Feeling the drunkenness' hit me, I returned to dancing, making Johnny follow suite. He kept his hands on my hips and I turned around so my back was to him and I pretty much backed it up on him, and to my surprise he didn't stop me.

"Can we head out?" Declan appeared beside us and I wanted to claw his eyes out for interrupting Johnny and I, "Addy and Gibs are already outside. I've got an important phone call with Finerty in the morning."

"Yeah, sure," Johnny nodded at the same time I said, "Go away, we're busy."

"Sorry to interrupt your fun, Grace," Declan grinned at me.

"It's no problem," I gave him a fake smile and when Johnny turned to wave over the waiter, I glared at Declan and mouthed 'Fuck you, fatty'.

He winked at me and when Johnny turned back we went back to smiling at each other.

"Alright, lets go," Johnny muttered, leading us outside after paying.

But I didn't want to go. I wanted to go back to dancing with Johnny, in a bubble with just us in it. Because that's where I felt safest.

I didn't want to leave and be hit with reality that was my life.

But I guess all good things must come to an end.